Temperature-controlling apparatus



*me Model.) A 3 sheets-sheet 1, W. P. POWERS. i TEMPERATURE CONTROLLINGAPPARATUS. No. 554,398.

. Patented Feb; 11, 1896,.'

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W. P. POWERS. l TEMPERATURE GONTROLLING APPARATUS.1

Ne. 554,398. Peeeeeed Peb. 11, 1896.

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TEMPERATURE CONTROLLING APPARATUS.

110. 554,398. Patented Peb. 11, 18116.

Nrren STATES ATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM P. POWERS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TEMPERATURE-CONTROLLING APPARATUS.

SECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 554,398, dated February11,1896.

Application filed May 10, 1895.

To all whom t may concern/.-

Be it known that I, IVILLIAM P. POWERS, of Chicago, Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Temperature-Controllin gApparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of temperature'- controllingapparatus in which a pressure-thermostat is employed to control thevalves or dampers whichrregulate the amount of heat supplied.

A thermostat operating within the general principle above stated isshown in my Patent No. 416,947, of December l0, 1889. The thermostatdescribed in said patent operates by the volatilization of a fluidcontained in one chamber of the thermostat to flex a diaphragm andcompress a body of air or other fiuid contained in the other chamber,which pressure is transmitted through a pipe leading to a pressurechamber having a fiexible diaphragm, the movement of which is made toopen or close a damper, valve or other means for regulating the supplyof heat.

It is the purpose of the present invention to provide means whereby thepower of `a thermostat operating upon the principle above described isincreased or supplemented. By means of the `present invention I securean increase in the voluine of the Huid medium by which the damper orvalve is actuated, and this increase in volume may be accompanied by anincrease in the pressure of the fluid medium.

In orderto attain the objects above stated, there is employed what istechnically known as a reducing-valve or its equivalent, said valvevcontrolling the admission of a supplemental pressure fluid and beingoperated either directly or indirectly by means of a diaphragm flexed bythe action of a volatile fluid, `vaporizing at about the temperaturedesired to be secured, instead of an adjustable spring, as is usuallythe case.

In carrying out my invention I employ a chamber to contain the volatilefluid, said chamber having a movable wall, and said Wall being adaptedby its movement in one direction to unseat a valve controlling thepassage for a fiuid under pressure and permitting the valve to return toits seat in the return movement'of said movable wall; Such fluid underSerial No. 548,803. (No modell).

pressure to permit the return of the valve to its seat, and from whichit may be conveyed to a motor or pressure device for operating a valveor damper.. An escape-aperture is provided. to return the excess ofpressure and restore an equilibrium, and this escape-aperture may beeither independent of or under the control of the thermostat.

By this improvement the thermostatic action controls the movements of avalve and the latter controls the admission of a fluid under pressure,the resulting pressure being proportionate to that afforded by thethermostat, thereby securing additional power for the operation of themotor which controls the valve or damper regulating the heat supply. Thethermostat as heretofore employed by me has only a limited power andmovement, and by the present improvement it may be reinforced orsupplemented by arranging it to controlthe supply of a fluid undergreater pressure, which will be effective in situations where thethermostat alone might be insufficient.

If' it be desired to secure a greater pressure as well as an additionalvolume of motor Huid, this may be accomplished by the employment of twoconnected diaphragms of different areas, one being subjected to thepressure of the volatile liquid or of an air column moved thereby, andthe other and, smaller diaphragm being subjected to the supplementalHuid-pressure, the smaller diaphragm being made in this case to operatetheivalve, whereby the flow of the pressure fluid is controlled. In thiscase the chamber into which the pressure fluid is admitted is incommunication with the motor, as before, and the motor iiuid, beingunder greater pressure, is capable of performing more work. From theforegoing it will be understood that my invention may be embodied inmore than one form of mechanism, and I have therefore shown in theaccompanying drawings a preferred form and modifications thereof, all ofwhich embody the essential principle of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1n IOO 2 sarees is a diagrammaticView showing the application of one form of my invention to practicaluse. Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation, parts broken away and parts inelevation, showing a form of the apparatus wherein a separatethermostat, two pressure-chambers having their diaphragms connected, anda fluid-pressure motor are employed. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing amodification wherein the thermostat has its flexible wall connected witha diaphragm by which the pressure-fluid-supply opening is controlled.Fig. 3 shows a modification wherein the pressure-iiuid-supply valve isoperated d-irectly by the movement of the fiexible wall or diaphragm ofthe thermostat.

Referring first to Fig. 1, 5 represents a shell or casing havin g adiaphragm 6 and providing a chamber 7, which is connected, as by thepipe S, with the chamber 9 of the thermostat. The chamber 7, pipe S andchamber 9 intercommunicate and contain a freely-moving body of air orother fluid. The thermostat has a second chamber, 10, which contains abody 11 of a volatile fiuid, the chambers 9 and 10 being separated bythe Viiexible diaphragm Any variation of the temperature will effect achange of pressure in the chamber 10 and a movement of the diaphragm 12,thus causing a movement of the fluid column in pipe 8 and varying thepressure in the chamber 7. A piston-plate 13 rests upon the under sideof the diaphragm 6, and a standard 14 rigidly connects said piston-platewith a piston-plate 15, which rests upon a diaphragm 16 covering oneside of a pressure-chamber 17.

As shown in Fig. 1, the diaphragm 6 is supported by an open shell havinga hollow neck connected with a second shell resting upon the upper edgeof the diaphragm 16; but it will be understood that this is only aconvenient means of connecting the two pressurechambers and that theseshells may be omitted and other convenient means of connecting the partssubstituted. A lever 18, pivoted at one extremity, is pivoted betweenits ends to the standard 14 and its extremity opposite its pivot isseated upon a regulating-spring 19, the tension of which may be variedby a thumb-nut 2O workin g upon the threaded rod 21. The chamber 17 is asupplemental pressure-Huid chamber and is in communication with anysuitable source of supply of pressure fluid-as, for example, compressedair, steam, or water. The fluid-supply pipe is shown at 22, and theinlet from said pipe is controlled by a valve 23, which, together withthe diaphragm and the pressure above it7 operates as a reducing-valve.Said valve rests upon a spring 24, and it has an upwardly-projectingstem 25, which rests directly upon the lower side of a piston-plate 26secured to the diaphragm 1.6.

As shown in Fig. 1, a bow-spring 27 is arranged to bear against thepiston-plate 26 and is provided with an aperture through which passesthe end of the valve-stem 25, and said spring has its free end connectedwith the stem of a small escape-valve 2S, closing an aperture in thelower end of the depending escape pipe 29. A spring 30 insures theproper seating of the escape-valve when left free to act. The chamber 17is in communication through a pipe 3l leading to a pressure-chamber 32,having a diaphragm 33 provided with a piston 34, connected with apivoted lever 35 and depending link 36, which will be understood to beconnected with a valve or damper controlling the supply of heat.

Briefly stated, the operation of' this form of the device is as follows:The thermostat ai'- fords at a certain increase in temperature adeiinite pressure upon the diaphragm 6 and forces it downward. Thedownward movement of the diaphragm is transmitted through therigidly-connected piston-plates 13 and 15 to the diaphragm 16, and themovement of said diaphragm, acting through the pistonplate 2G andvalve-stem 25, causes the valve 23 to open, admitting fluid-pressurefrom the supplemental-pressure supply until sufficient pressure isdeveloped beneath the diaphragm 16 to overcome the downward pressure ofthe thermostat. This results in an upward movement of the diaphragm anda consequent closing of the valve 23. Inasmuch as the area of thediaphragm 16 is less than that of the diaphragm 6, it follows that agreater increase ot pressure per square inch will be required in thechamber 17 than that which is produced in the chamber 7 by any increaseof temperature. Thus if the diaphragm 6 has an area four times that ofthe diaphragm 16 it is evident that four times the pressure will berequired in chamber 17 to maintain the equilibrium, and it is evidentthat for every pound of pressure gained by the thermostat four poundswill be required in the smaller chamber to maintain the equilibrium. Thefluidpressure in the chamber 17 is also exerted in the pressure-chamberof the motor above the diaphragm 33 and, moving said diaphragm, actsupon the lever 35 and link 36 to diminish the supply of heat.

If the temperature at the thermostat falls the pressure on the diaphragmG is lessened, and an upward movement ot' the diaphragms 6 and 16results, allowing the spring 27 to open the valve 2S, which results inan escape of a definite proportion of the pressure in the chamber 17 andin restoring the equilibrium between the upper and lower chambers. It isevident that the pressure in chamber 17 will at all times be a multipleof that existing in chamber 7. The degree of pressure at which the Valve23 will open may be regulated by the thumb-nut 2O and the spring 1Uwhich bears against the free end of the lever 13. Any downward movementof the diaphragm 6 will be communicated through the standard 14 to thelever 18 and result in a compression ICO IOS

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of the spring 10, and the greater the tension on said springthe greaterpressure will be required to open the valve Referring noW to themodified construction shown in Figs. 2 and 3, I may.` as shown in saidgures, dispense with the intermediate chamber and the pipe 8 and utilizethe movement oi' the diaphragm of the thermostat either directly orindirectly to open the valve.

As shown in Fig. 2, the thermostat is arranged so that its movable Wallor diaphragm imparts motion directly to the diaphragm of thesupplemental pressure-chamber and through the latter unseats the valve.

As shown in Fig. 3, the second diaphragm is omitted and the supplementalpressurechamber is separated from the thermostatchamber bythe `diaphragmof the thermostat; or, stated in another Way, the thermostat is directlyconnected with the valve and the airchamber of the thermostat becomesthe supplemental pressure-chamber.

As shown in Fig. 2, the lever 1S, spring 27, and escape-valve 2S areomitted, and a spring 37 is'shoWn connected With the standard li andprovided with an 'adjusting-nut 3S Working on the threaded bolt 39.

In Fig. 3 a spring .li-.0 is connected directly with the valve-stem, itsfree end resting on the adj Listing-screw 4l. A manually-operatedpetcock 42 is shown in Figs. 2 and 3, Which Will be so adjusted as topermit the eX- cess of pressure in the lower chamber to leak outgradually, and a similar provision may be made in the supplementalpressure-chamber of the device shown in Fig. This escape-aperture may bearranged in some other part of the system to which the supplementalpressure fiuid has access.

The operation of the apparatus shown in Figs. 2 and 3 is substantiallythe same as that shown in Fig. l. The thermostatic action causes theunseating of the valve and admits the supplemental pressure iiuid Whichis utilized in a suitable pressure-Huid motor to operate avalve ordamper, and when such pressure takes place as will overcome thethermostat-pressure the diaphragm of thc thermostat will be raised andthe valve will be seated, the excess of pressure in the chamber beingallowed to escape when the temperature falls until the equilibrium isrestored.

In Fig. lLL I have shown one application of my invention to practicalWork and have marked the several parts to correspond with thereference-numerals applied to the corresponding parts in Fig. 1. I haveshown a reservoir for compressed air at R, a fan at F, a heater at II,and dampers at B B, these dampers being controlled by the chain C fromthe pressure device marked 32, the operating-lever 35 being shownconnected to the chain C instead of being provided with the dependinglink, as shown in said Fig. l. In Fig. la a single compartment is shown,the thermostat being located upon a Wall therein and the heatingapparatus, which is controlled by the therinostat, being located in asub-story, the heating medium being hot air.

I am enabled by this device not only to obtain a direct increase ofpressure, but also an unlimited quantity of the moving force, so

that I am able to employa pressure-chamber of any size required to dothe` necessary Work. By means of `this invention I am enabled tomultiply indefinitely the power of the thermostat, While at the sametime preserving its characteristic action, and thus control dampers orvalves with a gradual motion depending upon changes of temperature. Byits use I am enabled to handle dampers or valves effectually that couldnot be handled to advantage by the thermostat direct because of its loweiiiciency, and my invention may be characterized as an auxiliary orsupplemental device for increasing and adding to the power of thepressure-thermostat described in my patent above identified. The upperand lower diaphragms may be of equal size. In that case no additionalpressure could be obtained, but a large increase in volume of thepressure fluid Will be secured, thus permitting the use of a largepressure-chamber or a motor of large displacement.

My invention is not limited to the precise structural details, mypurpose being to use any combination of parts in which a volatileliquidthermostat controls either directly or indirectly a supplementalfluid-supply opening and whereby the resulting pressure is ydeterminedand controlled by the variations of pressure of the volatile liquid atdifferent temperatures, the object being to secure additional pressureor volume or both, as the case may be, the thermostat directing andcontrolling the variations in pressure and the supplemental pressurefluid effecting the results under such thermostatic direction. Neitheris my invention limited to the use of a volatileliquid thermostat, as itmay be found expedient and desirable to substitute therefor an! otherform of thermostat affording pressure.

l. In a temperature-controlling apparatus, theA combination with apressure-thermostat, of a movable diaphragm', a pressure-chamber havingan independent and supplemental pressure-fluid supply, a valvecontrolling said supply, said valve being adapted to be opened by thethermostatic pressure whereby to admit the supplemental pressure iiuidto act on the diaphragm in opposition to the thermostatic pressure,substantially as and for the purpose described. y

2. In a temperature-controlling apparatus a huid-pressure thermostathaving a movable diaphragm adapted to be iiexed by the thermostaticpressure, a regulating-spring resisting the movement of the diaphragmunder said pressure, a supplemental pressure-Huid supply, a valvecontrolling said supply and adapted to be operated by the movement ofthe diaphragm, and means for adjusting the regulating-spring and therebylthe tension of IOO IIO

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the diaphragm whereby the thermostat may be made to act-nate the valveat any desire-d pressure, substantially as described.

In a temperature-eontrollin g apparatus,

the combination with a pressure thermostat,

of a movable diaphragm adapted to be flexed by the thermostatiepressure, a supplemental pressure-chamber, a pressure -luid supplycommunicating with said chamber and opposin g the thermostatic pressure,a valve for controlling the pressure-Huid supply, and intermediatemechanism between the diaphragm and the valve whereby the variations oftemperature may be made to control the valve, substantially asdescribed.

4L. In a temperature-eontrolling apparatus, the combination with athermostat having a movable diaphragm or wall, a supplementalpressure-chamber having also a movable diaphragm, a pressure-fluidsupply communicating with said supplemental pressure -ehamber, a valvecontrolling its inlet and a conduit leading from the supplementalpressurechamber whereby the motor fluid maybe conveyed away forutilization, and an escapeopening whereby the excess of pressure may berelieved, substantially as described.

5. In a temperature-controlling apparatus, the combination with athermostat of two pressure-chambers each having a movable diaphragm, oneof said chambers being larger than the other, the larger of saidchambers being adapted to serve as a pressure-chamber for a thermostatand the smaller chamber as a supplemental fluid-pressure chamber, anindependent pressure-uid supply communieating with the smaller chamber,a valve controlling the pressure-fluid-supply inlet and eonnecti onsbetween the diaphragms whereby the thermostatic action may be made tounseat the valve and admit the pressure-Huid supply to the smallerchamber, substantially as described. v

0. In a temperature-controlling apparatus, the combination with athermostat of two pressure-chambers each having a movable diaphragm, oneof said chambers being larger than the other, the larger of saidchambers being adapted to serve as a pressure-chamber for a thermostatand the smaller chamber as a supplemental liu id-pressure chamber, anindependent pressure-fluid supply communieating with the smallerchamber, a valve controlling thepressure-iiuid-supply inlet, connectionsbetween the diaphragms whereby the thermostatic action may be made tounseat the valve and admit the pressure-Huid supply to the smallerchamber, and a valve controlled by the thermostat to relieve the excessof pressure, substantially as described.

7. In a temperature-eontrolling apparatus, the combination with athermostat of two pressure-chambers each having a movable diaphragm, oneof said chambers being larger than the other, the larger of saidchambers being adapted to serve as a pressure-chamber for a thermostatand the smaller as a supplemental pressure-fluid chamber, an independentpressure-Huid supply com munieatin g with the smaller chamber, a valvecontrolling the pressure-luid-supply inlet, connections between thediaphragms whereby the thermostatic action may be made to unseat thevalve and admit the pressure-Huid supply to the smaller chamber, and aregulating-spring for adjusting the mechanism to operate under varyingpressures, substantially as described.

VILLIAM P. POVERS.

Witnesses:

FREDERICK C. GOODWIN, N. M. BOND.

